Unloader for silos and the like



Jan. 16, 1962 M. E. ENGLEMANN 3,017,044

UNLOADER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 N VEN TOR. M11; raw fA GEL MANN 1 ATTORNE Y6 Jan. 16, 1962 M. E. ENGLEMANN 3,017,044

UNLOADER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o 70 7s O INVENTOR. ML70NE/V6ELMHNN 53 3 I 1%{WW M Jan. 16, 1962 M. E. ENGLEMANN UNLOADER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 4, 1958 INVEN TOR. MILTONENGELMAWN BY ATTORAIE V6 Jan. 16, 1962 M. E. ENGLEMANN 3,017,044

UNLOADER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. M/LTa/v ENGEL M/INN nq KIMM ATTORNEYS Jan. 16, 1962 M. E. ENGLEMANN UNLOADER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE 4 Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. MILTON f/VGELMANN wwq 'ldrw ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofihce fiilhi i Patented Jan. 16, 1932 3,617,044 UNLOADIER FOR SILOS AND THE LIKE Milton E. Engelmann, Green Isle, Minn assignor to Vandale Corporation, Long Lake, Minn, a corporation of Minnescta Fiied June t, 1958, Ser. No. 739,719 17 Claims. (Cl. 214-17) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in unloaders for silos and the like and especially to new and useful improvements in unloaders of the type disclosed in Patents No. 2,719,058 and No. 2,794,560.

This invention particularly relates to means for levelling and driving silo unloaders of the type having a rotary ensilage collecting means for removing ensilage from the top of a mass, bringing the ensilage so removed to the center of the silo, means for receiving the ensilage so removed and for delivering the ensilage from the silo, and specifically for providing levelling and driving means for the outboard end thereof.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide new and useful levelling means for a silo unloader.

It is a further object of this invention to provide new and useful hydraulically operated levelling means for a silo unloader positioned at the outboard end of an elongated collecting means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and useful driving and levelling structure for a silo unloader.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide new and useful adjustable wheeled support for a silo unloader.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and useful hydraulic levelling means for a silo unloader operated by a control means controlled by engagement with the silo wall.

Other and further objects of the invention reside in the specific constructional details of the invention, including the constructional details of the hydraulic levelling means, the support wheel means for the outboard end of the unloader and the drive mechanism therefor.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent and apparent in the apparatus as described, pictured and claimed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, forming a part of the application. To each of the figures of these drawings, corresponding reference numerals have been applied and the various figures are described as follows:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure of the instant invention in position in the silo and on the surface of the ensilage therein, partly broken away and partly in section, for clarity;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the outboard end of the silo unloader and showing a portion of the silo wall in horizontal section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary detailed view showing one of the wheeled supporting means;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 66 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a hydraulic diagram therefor.

Reference is now made to the drawings for the following description and particularly to FIGURES l and 2. In the drawings, the unloader is shown positioned within an upright silo, having a cylindrical wall, only a portion of which is shown. The vertically ascending access doors are illustrated at 12 and 13 and positioned in frames formed by horizontal members 15 cooperating with portions 16 of the silo wall. The silo is usually of a horizontal cross-section approximating a right. circular cylinder, but other configurations may be provided and the silo unloader may be used therewith, so long as the horizontal cross-sectional confine provides a Wall upon which the wall engaging wheels may readily roll without interruption so that the unloader may rotate about its interior end.

While the silo unloader is intended to be used primarily for the unloading of farm crops or ensilage, it is contemplated within the spirit and scope of this invention and it may be used to unload other materials such as wood chips, sawdust and the like. The terms silo, silo unloader, ensilage include such usage.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the unloader, generally designated 2t), comprises a gathering or collecting arm means 21 including a rotary auger means, an elevating or impeller means 22 positioned at substantially the center of the silo, a discharge means or chute 23. It is suitably suspended from the top of the silo by a cable 18 secured to a ring 18A which in turn supports three cables 19 forming a triangular cable support for the silo unloader.

The gathering means 21 comprises a pair of parallel angers 24 and 25 of helical fiightin g supported upon central shafts and extending radially of the silo. The outer or outboard end of each shaft is provided with a wall cutter or cleaner 26 comprising a toothed member, the inboard end of each shaft and the augers being supported by and driven through gear box 27. Wall engaging wheels 29 are also positioned at the outboard end of means 21 and are journalled to cross plate 28 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the parallel frame members 31 and 32, in this instance, tubular. To cross plate 28 are secured outer bearing plates 30 which support outboard bearings for the shafts of augers 24 and 25.

Thus, the angers 24 and 25 are supported by having their shafts journalled for rotation at their outer ends in bearings supported by plates 30 and at their inner ends by bearings supported by gear box 27.

The frame members 31 and 32 are provided with inwardly extending ends 33, to which is secured a cross member 34 which in turn supports a roller 35 as subsequently explained.

Gear box 27' is provided with a cross member 36 which extends between the tubular frame members 31 and 32 and is secured to lugs 40 thereon by bolts, welding or otherwise. Only one of the lugs 40 is shown in FIG- URE 1.

The elevating means or central impeller assembly 22 is provided with a scroll housing 41 of the type shown in Patent No. 2,794,560, and reference thereto is made for specific details of the elevating means, as well as the gathering means or collecting assembly 21. Scroll housing 41 has an open bottom and an open side at 42 for the reception of ensilage. Ensilage is thus gathered from the top of the mass E by the gathering means 21, drawn into the center of the silo and conveyed to the elevating means 22 which impels it through the chute or discharge means 23'; thence outwardly thrcugh the door of the silo as indicated by the arrow 39. The housing 41 is supported by a cross brace or member 43 bolted to lugs 44 on members 31 and 32 and is also secured to cross member 36.

The exit of housing 41 is positioned interior of and secured to a contact ring assembly 45 which may be of the type shown in Patent No. 2,794,560. On top of the ring assembly 45 is affixed a pair of angle guide members 46 secured in spaced parallel relation and to which the chute 23 is pivoted at 47.

The chute 23, as shown, comprises a generally arcuate three-sided conduit or guide means having an opening directed toward the surface of the ensilage. It is supported by a rod 48 having a turned end pivoted in a sleeve connection at 49 to the chute 23. The other end of the rod 48 is flattened and pivotally secured to rod 50 which extends through the aperture in the silo wall as illustrated and is pivotally connected at 51 to the supporting frame 45A for the ring assembly 45. The rod 50 thus serves as a torque arm which through rod 48 supports the chute with reference to itself and the silo wall.

The inboard end of the silo unloader is supported by the roller or wheel 35 which is journalled on axle 52 supported by boss 47 from cross member 34.

An advance wheel for engaging the wall of the silo and for assisting wheels 29 in positioning the unloader with respect thereto, is provided as shown in Patent No. 2,794,560 but is not here shown for it forms no part of this invention per se.

The outer, outboard or Wall engaging end of the gathering means 21 is supported by a pair of leading wheels 53 and a pair of trailing wheels 54. Wheels 53 and 54 are shown as identical and are usually provided with a knurled surface for efficient engagement with the surface of the ensilage.

Wheels 53 are each pinned to a shaft 55 which has a worm gear 56 affixed thereto. Shaft 55 is journalled for rotation in housing 57 which is provided with an access plate 58 at the top thereof. Also journalled in housing 57 is a shaft 59 to which is fixedly secured a worm 60 for rotation therewith. The shaft is maintained in position within the housing by collar 61.

Shaft 59 has extending end 62 secured to one member 63 of the universal 6364, the other member 64 of which is provided with a rectangular socket for slidable receipt of square shaft 65.

Housing 57 is integrally joined to a hanger 70 having a trunnion bar 71 welded or otherwise secured thereto, trunnion bar 71 being journalled for rotation in cooperating members 72 and 73.

Members 72 and 73, as best shown in FIGURE 3, are joined to member 32 by welding or otherwise.

Secured to the hangers 70 is an upright 74 and a post 75.

Pivoted on post 74 is a composite arm 76 having screw 77 at one end as shown in FIGURE 6 and a pivoted actuating link 78 at the other end.

The supporting structure for wheels 53 has been described. The supporting structure for wheels 54 is identical but oppositely disposed and is indicated by the same numbers with the letter A added, viz. 70A, 71A, etc.

A plate 79 is positioned on, extends between and is secured to members 31 and 32 adjacent the outboard end thereof as shown in FIGURES 2 and 6 and serves to support a hydraulic cylinder 80 having a piston 81 (FIGURE 7) provided with an extending rod 82. Rod 82 has connected thereto for movement therewith a cross bar 83 which serves as an actuator for links 78 and 78A, which are pivoted thereto.

A channel frame member 84 (FIGURE 4) extends between members 31 and 32 and is situated at the side of plate 79. Member 84 is secured to members 31 and 32 by four lugs 85 welded thereto as shown. Frame member 84 serves to support a motor 85A, shown as electric, a hydraulic pump assembly 86 and a control assembly 87.

The motor 85A is supported from a platform 80 joined at one end to the housing 89 of the pump assembly 86 which is in turn supported upon a gear box 90, in turn secured to the side members of channel frame member 84.

Motor A is connected by a belt drive 91 to a sheave 92 connected to a shaft 93 journalled in gear box as shown in FIGURE 4. Shaft 93 is provided with a worm 04 which mates with a worm gear 95 afflxed to shaft 96 which is likewise journalled in gear box 90. Shaft 06 has extending ends, one of each of which is secured to the members 97 and 97A of universals 97-% and 97A98A. Members 08 and 98A of these universals each receive the square shaft 65 and 65A respectively for driving the same.

A sprocket 100 is secured to and driven by member 97 and through a chain 101 drives the second sprocket 102 of the pump assembly 86. 7

Assembly 86 comprises a suitable pump for providing a source of fluid under pressure, a reservoir and a valve therefor as illustrated in hydraulic diagram in FIGURE 7 wherein there is shown pump 103, reservoir 104 and valve assembly 105.

In this instance valve assembly 105 is supported from housing 89 by straps 106, and includes valve 105. Valve 105 is controlled by plunger 109 having a bifurcated end pivotally connected to actuating arm 108 having a pivot 110 seated in a cup-shaped recess in boss 107.

Arm 108 is secured by rod 111 to bifurcated support 112 for wheel 113 which is positioned to ride on the silo wall.

As is shown best in FIGURE 7, fluid contained in the reservoir 104 is delivered via line 114 by gravity to the pump 103 which delivers fluid under pressure through line 115 and via line 116 to valve 105 and line 117 to cylinder 80. Fluid is exhausted, if there is any, via drain line 118. However, line 118 merely serves as a drain and thus the cylinder 80 is single action. Fluid passing through valve 105 will return to reservoir 104 through line 119. As shown, the pump 103, reservoir 104 are housed in housing 89 as are lines 114 and 119. Line 116 is formed by an internal passageway in valve assembly 105A.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a silo unloader in which the outboard end is supported by wheeled means, including a wheel on either side thereof, which wheels are driven and which wheeled means is automati cally adjustable for levelling by action of a sensor which is in continuous engagement with the silo wall.

In operation, the wall cutters 26 and augers 24 and 25 move ensilage to the impeller means 22 from whence it is ejected through the chute 23. The silo unloader is supported upon the wheel 35, and the wheels 53 and 54 which provide essential three point support therefor, one point being in prolongation with the inboard end of the unloader and the other two points being one at either side of the outboard end thereof. Operation of motor 85A through belt 91 drives sheave 92 which through shaft 93 drives worm 94 which in turn drives gear 95 and through shaft 96 and universals 9790 and 97A98A drives the wheels 53 and 54. The square shaft 65 is adjustably received in member 64 of universal 63-64 and through shaft 59 drives Worm 60 which in turn drives gear 56 which rotates wheels 53. The wheels 54- are rotated by identical structures as previously explained. The screw 77 may be adjusted so that arm 76 may be pivoted on uprights 74 to take up any connection slack and provide a tight connection between link 78 and through arm 76 and screw 77 to post 75. Thus elevation of link 78 will through post 75 depress wheels 53 as they pivot on trunnion bar 71. The wheels 54 are identically controlled. Thus it will be seen that as rod 82 is extended vertically with respect to FIGURE 6, the wheels 53 and 54 are depressed to elevate the outboard end of the silo and if the rod 82 is permitted to descend with reference to FIGURE 6, the wheels 53 and 54 will elevate. The rod 82 is elevated under hydraulic pressure by the engagement of the wheels 53 and 54 with the surface of the ensilage.

The rod 02 is extended by fluid flowing from pump 103 via lines 115 and 117 to force the piston 81 up wardly with reference to FIGURE 7. Fluid so flows when valve 105 is closed or restricted. When valve 105 is opened, fluid will flow through line 119 to reservoir 104 in response to partial or full opening. The action of valve 105 in closing, partially opening or fully opening, thus determines the amount of fluid, if any, which will flow through line 117 and the positioning of piston 81.

The opening and closing of valve 105 is accomplished by the position of wheel 113 which moves leftwardly and rightwardly with reference to the double arrow 125 in FIGURE 5. As the outboard end of the unloader drops, wheel 113 and consequently valve plunger or spool 109 will be forced inwardly with reference to FIGURE (or rightwardly) partially or fully to close valve 105 upon which fluid will be delivered through line 117 to piston 81 and rod 82 will be extended more or less, elevating the outboard end of the unloader.

When the outboard end of the unloader becomes relatively elevated, due to a drop of the inboard end, the wheel 113 and consequently spool 109 will move out wardly (leftwardly with reference to FIGURE 5) opening valve 105 and fluid will be delivered therethrough via line 119 to reservoir 104 and the piston 81 and rod 82 will be allowed to descend until fluid pressure and wheel pressure are balanced. In intermediate positions the wheel 29 will allow more or less fluid to return to reservoir 104 and thus control pressure through line 117 from full pressure to low pressure and thus piston 82 will be positioned at intermediate position.

It will thus be seen that the levelling is automatic and once the piston 81 is elevated to a given position, it will remain in that position by balance of fluid pressure and force transmitted from wheels 53 and 54 until the valve 105 is opened wider in which event the outboard end of the silo unloader will be permitted to descend through overbalance of force from Wheels 53 and 54. Increased pressure in the cylinder 80 by virtue of the closing of the valve 105 by movement of the wheel 113 in response to depression of the outboard end of the silo unloader will elevate the piston of cylinder 80 by overbalance of fluid pressure.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic 'means for selectively elevating and depressing an outboard end of a silo unloader controlled by sensing means continuously engaging the Wall of a silo.

2. In a silo unloader having an inboard end and an outboard end and adapted to rotate over the surface of material being unloaded and about said inboard end, the improvement of wheel means providing three point support therefor, said wheel means including wheels positioned one on either side of said outboard end and means responsive to engagement with the wall of the silo for elevating and depressing the same.

3. In a silo unloader having ensilage engaging means having an outer end adapted to be positioned adjacent the wall of a silo and an inner end adapted to be positioned adjacent the center of the silo, the improvement of first wheel means adjustably supporting the outer end thereof, and second Wheel means engaging the wall of said silo, said second wheel means controlling hydraulic means for adjustment of said first wheel means.

4. In a silo unloader having an inboard end and an outboard end and adapted to rotate over the surface of material being unloaded and about said inboard end, the improvement of a wheel means supported at said inboard end, two suppont wheel means positioned one on either side of said outboard end, said support wheel means being vertically adjustable, hydraulic motor means for vertically adjusting the same, and means responsive to the relative elevation or depression of said outboard end for controlling elevation or depression of said support wheel means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized by one of said support Wheel means comprising a drive means,

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized by means for simultaneously driving said drive means and for providing a source of fluid under pressure for said hydraulic motor means.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized by both of said support wheel means comprising a drive means.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized by means for vertiually adjusting the position of said support wheel means independent of said means responsive to the relative elevation or depression of said outboard end.

9. In a silo unloader, the improvement of Wheel means positioned one on either side thereof and pivotally supported thereto for elevation or depression, hydraulic motor means for controlling the elevation or depression of the same, a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure connected thereto, valve means for controlling the delivery of the same to said hydraulic motor means and wall engaging means for opening said valve mean as one end of the silo unloader deviates from the horizontal in a given vertical direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said wall engaging means comprises a wheel.

11. In a silo unloader, the improvement of a Wheel means positioned on either side thereof and pivotally supported thereto for elevation or depression, drive means therefor, means connecting said drive means thereto for driving said wheels in either elevated or depressed position, said drive means including a motor for driving the same, hydraulic means for selective elevation or depression of said wheel means and said drive means being connected to said hydraulic means for operating the same.

12. In a silo unloader having an inboard end and an outboard end and adapted to rotate over the surface of material being unloaded and about said inboard end, the improvement of driving wheel means positioned adjacent said outboard end, said driving wheel means being journaled for rotation to a hanger means pivotally secured to said unloader, and adjustable extension shaft means connected to a motor means on said unloader and to said driving wheel means for driving the same.

13. The structure of claim 12 in which said driving wheel means comprises a pair of wheels secured to a wheel shaft for rotation therewith, said wheel shaft is journaled in said hanger means, said hanger means is positioned between said wheels, and said shaft means extends between the wheels and is connected to said wheel shaft for driving the same,

14. The structure of claim 12 further characterized by said adjustable extension shaft means comprising first and second universals and an adjustable shaft positioned therebetween.

15. In a silo unloader, the improvement comprising supporting wheels positioned on either side of the outboard end of said unloader, hanger means pivotally supporting the same from the silo unloader frame, adjustable means for driving at least one of said wheels in a plurality of vertical positions and means for vertical adjustment of said wheels.

16. The structure of claim 15 further characterized by leveling means for continuously controlling the vertical position of said wheels.

17. In a silo unloader, the improvement comprising driving wheels positioned in pairs on either side of the outboard end of said unloader, each pair of said driving wheels being secured in spaced relation to a shaft, gear means positioned in a housing therebetween, second gear means positioned in said housing for driving said first gear means and having a shaft extending from said housing, said housing being supported by a hanger member in turn pivotally secured to the silo unloader frame, first universal means secured to said extending shaft and adjustably secured to a second universal means, said second universal means being secured to a common shaft positioned on said unloader and means for rotating said common shaft, mean adjustably secured to each of said hanger members and having one end engaging a portion of said hanger member and a second end engaging an actuator member positioned on said silo unloader and means for elevating said actuator member to depress said hanger members and Wheels.

References Ii-ted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,247 Chapman Apr. 9, 1957 10 2,801,885 Harris Aug. 6, 1957 2,858,033 Hofer Oct. 28, 1958 

